With the peak of the Fall color almost gone, there is still so much to enjoy outdoors. Some days have been very chilly already, but we are also having some mild days with lots of sunshine. Decorating an outdoor Autumn space, like the picture to the left, can keep you loving the season even longer. Obviously, this is on the more elaborate side, but even a Potted
Mum can brighten up any front porch or driveway, maybe a Scarecrow and Pumpkin or two as well, the list is endless as to what can be done with little and even no money. And … there are no shortage of Fall Festivals and Halloween events to keep up the momentum. Here are just some of the “Boo”, I mean Beau-tiful weekend events to take advantage of.
Tweetsie, one of the oldest amusement parks in the area, has again been hosting “spooktacular” fun in the High Country for it’s 20th season of Ghost Train, every Friday and Saturday night through Saturday, October 31. A new attraction is The Freaky Forest this year, and lots of other pulse-pounding attractions await. Gates open at 7:30 pm with advance tickets being required. Adult and kids tickets are $26 with children 2 and under free. Visit www.tweetsie.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
Looking for something a little more in the eerie dark, try walking
the spooky trails of the Haunted Horn at Horn in the West in Boone, happening from October 22nd – 24th, and the 28th to the 31st. The scary fun begins at dark on any of the seven days it is open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students with an ID. Haunted Horn is not recommended for children under 9, but if you bring them, their admission is $5. For more information, call 828-264-2120.
Wake up bright and early Saturday morning and head on over to the 4th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival October 24, 
a kid-friendly event with games for kids of all ages at the Mast General Store Annex in Valle Crucis from 11am - 3pm. There is Free Admission with a section of the festival grounds set aside for you and your little one’s creativity to be expressed in “less mess” pumpkin carving. All you have to do is cut your design; the pumpkins are already “gutted.” For more information, call 828-963-6511.
Follow your pumpkin carving extravaganza with a true down-home mountain experience, An Appalachian Harvest Barn Dance, Saturday October 24, late afternoon into early evening from 5-7 pm. The National Park Service invites locals to attend the free annual 
Halloween/Harvest Barn Dance meeting at the Bass Lake parking area off Highway 221 for a two-mile roundtrip walk to the historic Moses Cone Apple Barn. You won’t want to miss the wonderful aromas of hot appl
e cider, then spin your partners round and round and learn some old-timey folk dancing such as the Virginia Reel and square dance to the tune of live fiddle music with live callers. Kids will have lots of fun at the craft table set up where they can make a Cornhusk doll or Halloween mask. For more information, call 828-295-6308.
Ok, so maybe your idea of Saturday night includes more of an 
indoor setting with your favorite family. How about letting the kids have fun at the 1st Pre-Halloween Party at KIDsSPACE from 6 – 9pm, . There will be games, a costume contest, treats and plenty of fun. Admission 
is free, but attendees are asked to bring some healthy canned goods for donation to the Hospitality House. Ghost stories will be told at 7:00 p.m. KIDsSPACE is located at 178 Southgate Drive in Boone, near Walmart, between Coyote Kitchen and Smokes & More. For more information, call 828-719-9000.
Any of these activities will satisfy your “fun craving” this weekend, with many more out there not listed here. You know who you are, let us know what else is happening. As always, make the very best of your time with family and friends and have a “Boo-tiful” weekend.
Also, make sure to check out Keri’s and her husband’s new website, www.timespasttoys.com for their Wooden Toy and Home Decor business, Heavenly Creations Decor, currently under construction, so please pardon their cyber dust. Even so, this will give you a look at what products they have to offer and who they are. Keri and her husband look forward to hearing from you and you are more than welcome to give helpful hints as to making the website better and more user friendly. They will soon be including links for area businesses selling Times Past Toys and Heavenly Creations Decor products and such.
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